38. Abandoned
"Presumed Dead." It was the unpleasant phrase no one in Hobbiton had yet dared to speak aloud. Yet everyone knew (and if they didn't know, they guessed) that Bilbo Baggins would not be returning to the Shire. But now, as Grubbs, Grubbs, and Burrowes prepared to begin the auction, the clamour of sentiments- both spurious and well-intended- sounding off the walls of abandoned Bag End seemed to finalize the common assumption.
"The Took in him came out, in the end"; "A fine gentlehobbit he was, before he lost his wits and dashed off into the blue"; "I've always said never to go mixing up with Outsiders, and now see where it's gotten Mr. Bilbo."
Around noon, everyone saw indeed.